Container



A1194, 1942. L, W T A 2,292,188

CONTAINER Filed March 26, 1940 Patented Aug. 4, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTAINER Lawrence Wittman, New York, N. Y. Applicatien March 26, 1940, Serial No. 326,078

Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in containers, and relates more particularly to an improved special type of container for fiat or relatively flat articles, the container being especially useful as a mailing device although it is also effective as a package for gifts and the like, or merely for wrapping and enclosing articles as they are purchased from a retail store.

The particular improvement in the present invention consists in the provision of an insertable member in the nature of a folder made from an elongated blank with a single, transverse line of fold, means being provided for drawing the folder into an outer wrapper or envelope of special construction.

The folder may be square or rectangular, and is adapted to be inserted within the envelope which is slightly larger than the folder in order to easily receive the folder without binding. The envelope is formed with a single opening along one edge, preferably one of the shorter edges in the case of a rectangular container. This opening may have a gummed flap, although this flap is not necessary.

The envelope is also formed with a narrow, centrally disposed slot along its edge opposite to the edge having the opening, and in such slot an elongated strap member, preferably gummed on one side, is positioned, one terminal of the strap being secured to the folder adjacent to the line of fold.

The article to be enclosed, such as a handkerchief, tie, pair of gloves, or the like, is first inserted between the leaves of the folder, the line of fold being preferably position just inside of the envelope. The opposite end of the strap is now grasped and drawn, thus drawing the folder completely into the envelope.

The adhesive surface of the strap is then moistened and the strap secured to the outer surface of the envelope on one side thereof, and around the open end and to the opposite side. The open end is thus sealed and the container ready for mailing or otherwise. Instead of employing the strap made from paper or the like, one or more cords or even ribbons may be employed, particularly in the case wherein the container is used for wrapping an article purchased from a store rather than as a mailing device.

It will be appreciated that the folder may be made in a variety of shapes and in some in stances it may be sealed along one or more of its edges, and a transparent window formed in one of the leaves thereof. In other words, as a gift handle the article.

Although the present container is designed particularly for flat or relatively fiat articles, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to a container for flat articles since the envelope portion may be provided with expanding or bellows-like sides, and the container may accordingly be used for wrapping articles of considerable thickness, such as books, playing cards, cameras, and the like.

Another object of the invention is the provision of an improved container for a removeable folder so shaped as to receive a dress or other article of feminine apparel, the folder having a plurality of lines of fold in order that when the several portions of the garment are folded to cause it to assume proportions convenient to carry. The several portions of the folder may be positioned between the portions of the garment. Such a folder may also, if desired, have a hanger portion formed integrally therewith.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the view showing the folder in partially withdrawn position ready to receive an article.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same embodiment in a fully closed position.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the blank of a folder adapted particularly for receiving a dress or other article of apparel, the view also showing the envelope.

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the folder of Fig. 4 in partially folded position, the View also showing a modification in the folder drawing means.

Fig. 6 is a plan view of a blank for forming a modified folder with a transparent window formed therein.

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of the folder in closed position.

Fig. 8 is a transverse vertical section taken through a modified form of envelope having expanding sides.

The preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 includes a folder If! and an envelope H. The folder is formed from an elongated, substantially rectangular blank having a central transverse line of fold 12, thus forming two walls or leaves [4 and i5 between which any suitable article, such as is shown at It in Fig. 3, may be positioned. Both folder and envelope may be made from any suitable flexible sheet material, such as paper, cardboard, or the like, it being preferred to form the folder from somewhat heavier material than the envelope. Also, if desired, the folder may be made from relatively stiff material.

The envelope ll may be of any conventional construction, except for the openings, and the details of the blank used in forming the same are not illustrated. In any event, such envelope is desirably rectangular in shape and is slightly larger than the folder when in folded position, the envelope including an upper wall lfl and a lower wall H9. The envelope is provided with an opening along one transverse edge thereof, as shown at 2!.

In the case of a rectangular structure, this opening 2| is desirably formed along one of the shorter edges. Also, if desired, one of the Walls of the envelope is-provided with an integrally formed closure flap 23, which isdesirably gummed on its inner surface.

Along the edge 25 opposite to the edge having the .opening 2!, a short slot 26 is formed, such slot being positioned substantially midway between the opposed sides of the envelope, and throughsuch slot a strap member 28 passes, such strap member being secured at its inner terminal 29 to one or both of the leaves of the folder It]. This strap is desirably formed with a terminal portion 31! of greater width than the main body thereof, thus forming a shoulder portion 3| which limits the outward movement of the folder H].

Inthe embodiment shown, this shoulder is formed at such a point on the strap as to permit the major portion of folder Hi to be withdrawn from the envelope, leaving only the inner terminal thereof in the envelope, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 One surface of the terminal portion 30 is preferably gummed, as shown at 33. Thus it will be seenthatafter an article is placed between the leaves of the folder Iii, the strap may be drawn outwardly by grasping the terminal portion 33, thus drawing the fol der completely within the envelope. 1

It will be seen that the strap 28 is of such length as to passover the entire length of the upper wall is of the envelope, and the gummed terminal portion 38 is then adhesively secured to the lower wall l9 of the envelope, as shown in Fig. 3. In the embodiment shown, wherein the lower wall IQ of the envelope is provided with a gummed flap 23, this gummed fiap is first sealed in place and the gummed terminal portion 33 of the strap then sealed.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, the envelope 38 is of substantially the same shape as the envelope ll shown in Fig. l. Inasmuch as this container is for a dress or other similar article, this envelope is desirably larger than the envelope H, and the folder or insert 39 is likewise larger.

This folder comprises four integrally formed portions 40, M, 42 and 43, respectively, portions 40, M and 43 being in alignment with each other and having crease lines 4 and 45, respectively, therebetween, and the portion 42 being formed integrally with one longitudinal edge of portion 4! nd having a crease line at therebetween. At the free end of portion '48 a hanger portion 48 is formed, this portion having a crease line 59 between the same and portion 40.

In use the hanger portion 48 is bent over per tion 49, as shown in Fig. 5, and the dress, suit, or other article, placed upon such hanger portion. Portion d2 is then folded over portion 4|, portion ll) folded over portion 32, and portion 43 folded over portion 48. The strap portion 5| is secured to portion M, and the folder now drawn by means of grasping the shoulder portion 52 of strap 5| into envelope 38.

In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 5, a plurality of cords 5d replace the flat strap portion 5|, and when the folder is completely within envelope 38 the cords are suitably secured around the envelope.

In Figs. 6 and 7 another modification in the folder portion is shown, such folder portion 56 being made from an elongated blank illustrated in Fig. 6 and comprising a rectangular portion 5'! and another rectangular portion 58 with a transverse crease line 59 therebetween. Portion 51 is formed with a rectangular or other shaped opening 59, and a piece of transparent material 663 of slightl larger size than the size of the opening is secured around marginal edges of such opening. Portion 51 is further formed with a sealing flap 82 along one or both longitudinal edges thereof, and whenportion 58 is placed over portion 5?, such latter portion is securedto portion 58 by means of the fiaps 62, as shown in Fig. 7. If desired, another sealing fiap may be formed along the free transverse edge of portion 57.

In Fig. 8 the envelope efi is illustrated asbeing formed with expansible side walls 66, so that in the event the envelope is required to receive articles of considerable thickness, these expansible walls will accommodate such thickness.

The present invention is not limited to any particular materials out of which the article may be formed. Although for many purposes paper is most suitable, particularly because of its relative cheapness, nevertheless the envelope or the folder may be made from leather, metal, fabric, plastic material, or any other suitable material or combination of materials.

It will also be apparent that the invention will have many applications and uses beyondthose hereinbefore specifically enumerated. The invention may also be used in associationwith other articles as well. For instance, a structure of the type disclosed in Fig. 1 may be built into an article of luggage, and in such an instance a partition in the suitcase, or one of the walls thereof, may serve as one of the walls of the envelope. The insertable folder may then have a leather or fabric strap'secured thereto, such strap having a snap fastener at one end thereof, the fastener being detachably secured to the wall of'the case.

Moreover, the invention is not limited to a container for articles which are actually fiat, since it may be formed to accommodate articles of any thickness.

What I claim is:

1. A container comprising, in combination-an envelope and an insertable folder adapted to be enclosed thereby, said envelope having an opening along the full width of one of its marginal edges, a relatively narrow opening adjacent'to its opposed marginal edge and being closed along its remaining edges, the folder being formed from an elongated blank having a single centrally disposed line of fold therein; a flat, substantially flexible strap secured at one end thereof to said folder adjacent to the line of fold, the strap passing through the narrow opening in the envelope and adapted to draw the folder into the envelope, stop means on the strap for limiting the outward movement of the folder comprising a shouldered portion of greater width than the width of the narrow opening, and means for securing the outer terminal of the strap around the open end of the envelope comprising an adhesive on one surface of such terminal portion.

2. A container comprising, in combination, a substantially rectangular envelope and an insertable folder adapted to be enclosed thereby, said envelope having an opening along substantially the full width of one of its marginal edges, a relatively narrow opening adjacent to its opposed marginal edge and being closed along its remaining edges, the folder being formed from an elongated blank having a single centrally disposed line of fold therein, a draw member secured at one end thereof to said folder adjacent to the line of fold, the member passing through the narrow opening in the envelope and adapted to draw the folder into the envelope, stop means on the member for limiting the outward movement of the folder, and means for securing the outer terminal of the strap around the open end of the envelope.

3. In a container of the class described, the combination of an envelope, an insertable folder to be enclosed by the envelope and means associated with the envelope for manually drawing the folder into the envelope, said envelope being substantially rectangular in shape and being closed along two opposed edges thereof and having a narrow, substantially centrally disposed opening along a third edge, and an opening extending the full length of the fourth edge thereof, a closure flap formed along said latter edge, the folder being formed from an elongated blank having a single, centrally disposed transverse line of fold therein, a flat, substantially flexible strap secured at its inner end to said folder adjacent to the line of fold, the strap passing through the narrow opening in the envelope whereby, when the outer end of the strap is manually drawn, the folder will be moved into the envelope, means for limiting the outward movement of the folder comprising a shouldered portion adjacent to the outer end of the strap of greater width than the width of the narrow opening, the length of the strap between the shouldered portion and the point of attachment of the strap to the folder being such as to cause the line of fold to remain inside the envelope when such shouldered portion is in engagement with the portions of the edge adjacent to the narrow opening, the closure flap closing the adjacent open edge of the envelope and forming a seal therefor when the folder is positioned completely within the envelope, and means for securing the outer end of the strap around the closure flap.

4. A container of the class described comprising, in combination, an envelope, an insertable folder to be enclosed by the envelope and means associated with the envelope for manually drawing the folder into the envelope, said envelope being substantially rectangular in shape and being closed along two opposed edges thereof and having a narrow, substantially centrally disposed opening along a third edge, and an opening extending the full length of the fourth edge thereof, a closure flap formed along said latter edge, the folder being formed from an elongated blank having a single, centrally disposed transverse line of fold therein, a flexible strap secured at its inner end of said folder adja-- cent to the line of fold, the strap passing through the narrow opening in the envelope whereby, when the outer end of the strap is manually drawn, the folder will be moved into the envelope, means for limiting the outward movement of the folder comprising a portion adjacent to the outer end of the strap of greater width than the width of the narrow opening, and means for securing the outer end of the strap around the closure flap to close the open end of the envelope.

5. In a container of the class described, the combination of an envelope, an insertable folder to be enclosed by the envelope and means associated with the envelope for manually drawing the folder into the envelope, said envelope being substantially rectangular in shape and being closed along two opposed edges thereof and having a narrow, substantially centrally disposed opening along a third edge, and an opening extending the full length of the fourth edge thereof, a closure flap formed integrally along said latter edge, the folder having means for receiving an article between the leaves thereof, a flexible strap secured at its inner end to said folder adjacent to the line of fold, the strap passing through the narrow opening in the envelope whereby, when the outer end of the strap is manually drawn, the folder will be moved into the envelope, stop means for limiting the outward movement of the folder comprising a shouldered portion adjacent to the outer end of the strap of greater width than the width of the narrow opening, such portion being so positioned relative to the folder as to cause part of the latter to be positioned in the envelope when the portion is in engagement with the sections surrounding the narrow slot, the closure flap closing the open edge of the envelope and forming a seal therefor when the folder is positioned completely within the envelope, and means for securing the outer end of the strap around the closure flap.

LAWRENCE WITTMAN. 

